Bottom Line

MODERATE avalanche danger still exists in near and above treeline terrain, due to the possibility of lingering wind slabs. Human-triggeredavalanches may remain possible today. Create a plan with safety margins to avoid the avalanche problems and maintain awareness of the conditions and terrain to stick to these safety margins while traveling in the backcountry.

Yesterday's storm did create some wind slabs on wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects and possibly some cross-loaded NW and SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Most of these wind slabs remain relatively small and do not extend very far away from the ridgelines. However, some uncertainty exists as to whether larger ones with enough snow to bury or injure a person could still be lurking in some of the most heavily wind-loaded areas. These wind slabs exist on top of a weak layer of old surface snow and human-triggeredwind slabavalanches may remain possible today.

Avoiding wind-loaded areas where fragile wind slabs may exist represents a great safety margin for today. Planning to recreate in more sheltered terrain will also help take advantage of the soft unconsolidated snow. Maintain awareness of the conditions and terrain by looking for signs of wind-loading like cornices above a slope, blowing snow, or wind created textures on the snow surface.

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry

Type
?

Aspect/Elevation
?

Likelihood
?

Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Size
?

Historic

Very Large

Large

Small

Some small, easy to manage, and mostly inconsequential loose dry sluffs could occur on steep slopes today as the new snow slides off of the old weak surface snow. However, some isolated sluffs could involve enough snow to interfere with a person's balance which could have consequences in more serious terrain.

* Yesterday observations found small wind slabs along wind-loaded ridgelines on Castle Peak and on Silver Peak. In both areas, the wind slabs did not extend very far downslope. On Silver Peak ski kicks could trigger small wind slab failures. The largest of these measured about 1 ft deep at the top and extended about 10 to 20 ft from the ridgeline.

After a final burst of snowfall yesterday morning, the storm departed the area leaving mostly clear skies for the rest of the day. A small high-pressure ridge has moved into the region and should keep the weather mostly clear for the next few days. Ridgetop winds have decreased and should continue to decrease over the next 36 hours, but some peak gusts could still climb into the 60 to 70 mph range today and tonight.

Weather observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft. and 8800 ft.

Southeast 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph decreasing to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Expected snowfall:

No accumulation. | SWE = none.

No accumulation. | SWE = none.

No accumulation. | SWE = none.

Disclaimer

This avalanche forecast is provided through a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Avalanche Center. This forecast covers the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass on the north and Ebbetts Pass on the south. Click here for a map of the forecast area. This forecast applies only to backcountry areas outside established ski area boundaries. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This forecast expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this forecast is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

For a recorded version of the avalanche forecast call (530) 587-3558 x258

Resources

Search form

Search

Follow Us

Extreme Sponsors:

This website is owned and maintained by the non-profit arm of the Sierra Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information, or sponsorship information, or other content not related to the forecasts and the data pertaining to the forecasts.